title: Toward CT-based facial fracture treatment.
abstract: Facial fractures have formerly been classified solely by anatomic location. CT scans now identify the exact fracture pattern in a specific area. Fracture patterns are classified as low, middle, or high energy, defined solely by the pattern of segmentation and displacement in the CT scan. Exposure and fixation relate directly to the fracture pattern for each anatomic area of the face, including frontal bone, frontal sinus, zygoma, nose, nasoethmoidal-orbital region, midface, and mandible. Fractures with little comminution and displacement were accompanied by subtle symptoms and required simple treatment; middle-energy injuries were treated by standard surgical approaches and rigid fixation. Highly comminuted fractures were accompanied by dramatic instability and marked alterations in facial architecture; only multiple surgical approaches to fully visualize the "buttress" system provided alignment and fixation. Classification of facial fractures by (1) anatomic location and (2) pattern of comminution and displacement define refined guidelines for exposure and fixation.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, Shock Trauma Center, Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems.
authors.forename: P N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Manson
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Markowitz
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mirvis
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dunham
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yaremchuk
mesh_terms: D005147:Facial Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D005624:Frontal Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D006801:Humans; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D008440:Maxillary Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D009295:Nasal Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D009917:Orbital Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D015051:Zygomatic Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy